SM Northwest gymnasts lose state title amid controversy

Source: The Star

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The Newton Kansan

Elayna Briggs of Olathe Northwest tied for sixth in the balance beam on Saturday. She took fourth in all-around.

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Lawrence Free State walked away with the state championship team trophy and Newton, which hosted the 2009 Kansas Girls State Gymnastics Championship, took home the individual state championship medals last Saturday.

Officially, the two teams tied for first place and were named co-champions. An identical team trophy for the Railroaders and medals for the Firebirds are on order.

But Shawnee Mission Northwest’s gymnasts feel like all those items should have gone home with them.

The Cougars did, in fact, post the top team score with 103.950 points, but a one-point team deduction for an improper inquiry bumped SM Northwest behind Lawrence Free State and Newton (103.525).

Cougars coach Jackie Cipollini inquired about her team’s scores on the balance beam after the 5-minute window in which coaches are allowed to do so from the time scores reach the judge’s table after a rotation. The penalty assessed by meet referee Suzie Godsil and stipulated in the National Federation of High School’s Gymnastics rule book is a team point.

Cipollini, however, contended that she gave verbal intent to inquire within the 5-minute window.

Nonetheless, the penalty stood and SM Northwest, which was weighing a formal protest to KSHSAA, was awarded third place.

“The Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars gymnasts showed their strength, their pride and their confidence. They were the team to beat,” Cipollini said late Saturday night after initially declining an interview request at the state site. “People in the stands stood and watched. We were the strongest team and had the highest score with 103.9 points, but, because of a ruling that has never been enforced in 30 years, we got a 102.9 and were third place.”

Trussell’s repeat on beam not in disputeDespite a broken foot, SM Northwest senior Sierra Trussell made sure the Cougars returned with at least one championship for the third consecutive season.

Trussell scored an 8.900 on the beam and edged Lawrence Free State’s Drue Davis by 0.050 points for her second straight state crown on that apparatus.

Haley Hoffman won the floor exercise in 2007 for the Cougars.

Of course, Trussell had higher ambition than merely repeating on beam.

“Winning the beam again wasn’t really a goal,” she said. “I just wanted to do my best and hope that put me high in the all-around.”

Trussell won a medal in every event but finished second by 0.100 points to Davis (35.900).

“I still feel like we are champions,” Trussell said. “Some of the girls weren’t happy with their performance, but we did the best we could today. It’s just a shame we didn’t get first.”

Immune to any drama, the SM East and SM South gymnastics teams, who train together throughout the season, cheered boisterously for one another and appeared to have the most fun.

The highlight of the Lancers-Raiders shenanigans was an impromptu freestyle dance circle, which broke out after the post-competition handstand contest and before the medal ceremony.

Joined by Abby Row and the SM North squad, the girls took turns busting out moves and roaring with laughter.

“We were going to have a dance party last night (at the hotel), but we had to go to bed,” SM East junior Katye Bever said. “I guess that counts as our dance party.”

The Lancers and Raiders even had some much-deserved success too.

SM East junior Katye Bever, who left the club ranks for high school gymnastics this season, completed the uneven bars hat trick, adding a state championship (8.825) to her league and regional titles.

Now and forever, the terms Katye Bever and state champion fit nicely alongside one another.

“That’s exciting,” Bever said. “I like hearing that. It’s a good accomplishment.”

The Raiders hadn’t won a medal at state since 2005, but Martiny finished fourth on the floor.

“I qualified last year just on the floor and finished seventh at state, so I was looking to improve, and I was really excited to be able to place as high as I did,” Martiny said. “It’s awesome to be able to come as a team and show everyone that gymnastics matters and we’re doing well.”

Freshman teammate Monica Funk also tied for sixth on the vault.

“It gives us a little chance to brag and be proud of our school,” Funk said.

It also gave the girls the opportunity to have fun and enjoy one final competition together.

TEAM SCORES T1. Lawrence Free State 103.525

T1. Newton 103.525

3 Shawnee Mission Northwest 102.95

4. Shawnee Mission South 97.125

5. Shawnee Mission North 97.125

6. Shawnee Mission East 96.15

7. Olathe North 93.55

8. Olathe South 91.8

submitted by TOD PALMER - 2009-11-10 13:28:02